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NAWG Weekly Updates, October 12, 2017

115 Ag Companies and Associations Send Letter to Senate in Support of Gregg Doud
Initiated by the North American Export Grain Association, 115 Ag companies and associations, including NAWG, joined a letter sent to the Senate Finance Committee today urging the confirmation of Gregg Doud as Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Read the letter here.

NAFTA Day on Capitol Hill
“On Capitol Hill on Wednesday, there were signs of the increased stakes in the NAFTA talks: Business and agricultural groups mounted a lobbying push targeting more than 250 House members, and the Ways and Means chairman seemed to say businesses have reason to worry,” reported Politico. “At the White House, in the most visible and symbolic moment of the day, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President Donald Trump, who relishes being unpredictable…The current set of discussions is expected to be the most contentious yet, and business and agricultural groups prepared accordingly. Their lobbying effort, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, was estimated to bring together more than 100 representatives of various groups — an “army,” as Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue phrased it — assembled to end the ‘roller-coaster ride’ of uncertainty and to ensure that a reworked pact meets the needs of commerce in the 21st century market. Among those sending foot soldiers to the effort included the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Foreign Trade Council, the Coalition of Services Industries, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Pork Producers Council.” NAWG’s Molly O’Connor also participated in lobbying efforts around NAFTA that took place on Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Read the Politico article here.

USDA’s Advisory Committee on Ag Statistics to Meet in November
The annual meeting of USDA’s Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will take place in Louisville, KY on Nov. 2-3, 2017. The agenda includes a discussion of the 2017 Census of Agriculture and census programs; the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Strategic Plan; big data; and the Agricultural Resource Management Survey and Chemical Use program. There will also be an update on NASS by Administrator Hubert Hamer. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at The Brown Hotel, 335 W Broadway, Louisville, KY. There will be an opportunity for public questions and comments at 8:15 a.m. on November 3rd. Registration is required. To attend, please contact NASS by email: HQOA@nass.usda.gov (ACAS RSVP in subject line); Phone: 202-720-2707; or eFax: 855-493-0445.

Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship Opportunity for Students in Agriculture
Jerry Minore was a longtime friend of the wheat industry and advocate for wheat farmers. To honor his work and life, his company, BASF, has partnered with the National Wheat Foundation to establish a scholarship for students with connections to the wheat industry who are planning careers in agriculture. The Minore Memorial Scholarship will fund four college scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year: two $1,500 scholarships and two $1,000 scholarships. Deadline for applications is December 31, 2017. For more information on how to apply, visit the National Wheat Foundation site.